HOWARD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING

 

MAY 10, 2007

 

 

A meeting of the Howard County Board of Commissioners was convened in open and public session on the 10th day of May 2007, in the Boardroom, Howard County Courthouse, St. Paul, Nebraska.

 

Notice of the meeting was given thereof by publication in the Phonograph-Herald on the 3rd day of May 2007, a proof of publication filed in the Clerk’s office.  Copies of the agenda were posted in the Courthouse, the county web site, mailed to each Commissioner, and kept current and available to the public at the County Clerk’s office.

 

Chairman Seifert called the meeting to order at 8:30 am.  Roll Call: Bill Sack, AYE; Lauren Scarborough, Aye; Gary Rasmussen, AYE; Larry Seifert, AYE; Rance Lierman, ABSENT.  Commissioner Lierman was absent from the meeting due to a medical appointment. Also present is County Attorney Dave Schroeder and Deputy Clerk Bev Sack.  Chairman Seifert also stated to those in attendance that a current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is available for review and indicated the location of such copy in the room where the meeting is being held.

 

COUNTY ROAD DISCUSSSION

Road Secretary Jackie Mayberry presented to the Board an underground pipe permit for James Kasson in Sections 18 and 19, Township 16, Range 10 on 22nd Avenue.  Motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Sack to approve this permit.  Roll Call: 4 Ayes 1 Absent. Motion carried..

 

Jackie presented an underground cable permit for Tim Kayton in Section 5, Township 16, Range 10 on Jansen Road.  Motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Seifert to approve this permit.  Roll Call: 4 Ayes 1 Absent.  Motion carried.

 

Jackie also had two underground cable permits for Kurt Kroeger in Sections 16, 17, 20, and 21, Township 13, Range 10 on Jansen Road.  Motion was made by Seifert and second by Sack to approve both of the permits.  Roll Call: 4 Ayes 1 Absent.  Motion carried.

 

Another underground cable permit was presented for Adam Lauritsen in Sections 20 and 21, Township 13, Range 10 north of Jansen Road and Third Avenue. .  Motion was made by Seifert and second Sack to approve this permit.  Roll Call: 4 Ayes 1 Absent. Motion carried.

 

Highway Superintendent Jay Meyer presented to the Board a description of work and maintenance projects.  Jay stated there are several washouts that need to be taken care of and every area is in need of gravel.  Jay also discussed with the Board the possibility of contracting fuel.  Motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Sack to have Jay talk with Jim’s Champlin and Aurora Coop to have a contract drawn up for $10,000 from both businesses.  Roll Call: 4 Ayes 1 Absent.  Motion carried.  This will be discussed at the May 31st meeting.

 

Jay Meyer presented to the Board of list of used excavators.  Much discussion was held deciding if the county would benefit on buying one.  It was decided that a belly dump is needed more so the Board asked Jay to get several bids and they will review this again at the May 31st meeting.

 

Weed Superintendent Dan Fredrick met with the Board to discuss the Dannebrog Shop.  It has several leaks in the roof and the skylights need to be replaced.  Dan is to contact some contractors and see how much it would cost to replace the skylights and repair the roof.

 

PERSONNEL

Motion was made by Sack and second by Rasmussen to go into executive session at 9:20 am for the purpose of discussing personnel with the County Board, County Attorney and the Deputy Clerk present.  Roll Call:  4 Ayes 1 Absent.  Motion carried.

 

Motion was made by Sack and second by Seifert to come out of executive session at 9:35 am with no action taken.  Roll Call: 4 Ayes 1 Absent.  Motion carried.

 

COURTHOUSE REPAIRS

Dave Mohr was present to discuss the work he has done on the repair of the steps of the courthouse.  Dave stated more work does need to be done because some of the foundation is falling off and will need to be replaced.  Dave will do a walk around the building with Board Chairman Seifert and point out what repairs he feels will need to be done.

 

LAWRENCE LEVERING WAIVER

Motion was made by Scarborough and second by Seifert to approve this Affidavit of Error waiver.  Roll Call: 4 Ayes 1 Absent.  Motion carried.

 

SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

Sheriff Harold Schenck met with the Board to discuss the 1993 Crown Victoria with 128,665 miles on that he would like to have declared surplus equipment and sold.  Motion was made by Sack and second by Scarborough to declare the vehicle as surplus equipment.  An ad will be placed in the paper stating the county will be accepting sealed bids for the May 31st meeting.  Roll Call: 4 Ayes 1 Absent.  Motion carried.

 

MOTOR GRADER FINANCING

Discussion was held on the financing of a new motor grader.  Several banks had been contacted to check on their interest rates.  Motion was made by Sack and second by Rasmussen to go with the St. Paul Bank at 4.5% interest on $100,000 for 4 years.  Roll Call: 4 Ayes 1 Absent.  Motion carried.  This will be addressed again at the next meeting.

 

ELBA WELL SITE WAIVER

County Attorney Dave Schroeder presented to the Board a resolution for the Chairman’s signature in regard to the Elba Well site.  After some discussion motion was made by Seifert and second by Rasmussen to approve Resolution No. 2007-09 as presented by the County Attorney.  Roll Call: 4 Ayes 1 Absent.  Motion carried.  This resolution is to be recorded in the Register of Deeds office with the filing fee paid by the Village of Elba.  Resolution No 2007-09 is on file in the County Clerk’s office.

 

LIQUOR PERMIT

Jeff Moody and John Wetzel representing Moody’s Beer Barrel Bar in St. Libory requested a special liquor permit for a beer garden on June 1, 2007.  Motion was made by Scarborough and second by Sack to approve this permit.  Roll Call: 4 Ayes 1 Absent. Motion carried.  The Howard County Clerk will prepare a letter to be sent into the State Liquor Commission.

 

HOCHSTETLER’S HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

Louis Barth representing the Hochstetler’s Homeowners Association presented to the Board references and stated his concerns regarding the Clinger Subdivision.  Steve Stebbing and Jerry Legg were also present to express their concerns.  Shaun Clinger was also in attendance regarding his subdivision.  After some discussion County Attorney Schroeder stated the home owners needed to present all the information to the Planning & Zoning Commission Board since it was voted on at the last meeting to have the issue returned to them for a final plat recommendation.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING CONCERNS

Zoning Administrator Franz Trumler met with the Board regarding his concerns with the Affidavit of Error documents.  Franz wanted some clarification on them. He also discussed with the Board he was notified of interest in having adult entertainment in Howard County.  There is nothing in the Planning and Zoning Regulations regarding this do no action was taken.

 

COUNTY AUDIT

County Treasurer Connie Nickel presented to the Board a proposal from Contryman & Associates she had received and their interest in doing the county audit.  After much discussion the Board decided to contact the State and Tonniges & Associates about doing the county audit and request proposals from both of them.  This will be discussed at the May 31st meeting.

 

E911 EQUIPMENT

County Sheriff Schenck stated he had signed the contract for the new E911 equipment.  The Sheriff also inquired of the Board if he was to do the 911 budget.  The Board stated they would like for him to do it.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

A motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Sack to approve the consent agenda which consists of claims in the amount of $129,213.22; department reports and the minutes.  Roll Call: Sack, AYE; Scarborough, AYE; Rasmussen, ABSTAIN for one claim, Seifert, AYE; Lierman, ABSENT.  Rasmussen abstained from the Charlie’s Station claim in the amount of $528.96 as he is the owner of the station.  Motion carried. The claims were audited and checks drawn on their regular funds.  A listing of the claims will appear at the end of the minutes.

 

MAIL

Correspondence was received from the St. Paul Senior Center; NE Health and Human Services; Central Nebraska Community Services; the Loup Central Landfill assessment; State Historical Society and the State Department of Roads.

 

There being no further business to come before the Board, motion was made by Sack and second by Scarborough to adjourn at 12:00 noon.  Roll Call: 4 Ayes 1 Absent.  Motion carried.  The next regular meeting of the County Commissioners will be May 31, 2007.

 

Dated this 10th day of May 2007.

 

Larry Seifert, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

 

Bev Sack, Deputy Clerk